Sleep Deprivation and Fatigue in Healthcare Staff: A Clinical Audit on the Risk to Patient Safety (11 November 2025)

Summary

The risk that sleep deprivation and fatigue among healthcare staff pose to patient safety is often overlooked, which can be detrimental to patient safety and outcomes. Prolonged shifts, night duties, and inadequate rest all contribute to fatigue, impair clinical judgment, and increase the likelihood of errors. This research article aims to assess the prevalence of sleep deprivation and fatigue among healthcare professionals, examine its association with patient safety incidents, and provide recommendations to mitigate fatigue-related risks in high-acuity clinical settings.